Our community partnerships are an integral component of the Kernodle Center for Service Learning. Each year we partner with over 80 local community agencies. These partners, including nonprofits, schools and government agencies, are the primary organizations in which Elon students serve. Resources and Support are provided by the Kernodle Center to sustain and strengthen a variety of levels and types of partnerships with the community.

Core Partners

Overtime, some of our community partnerships have strengthened our Service-Learning practice and student volunteer opportunities. These relationships promote more actively engaged citizens through reciprocal service.

Core Partners meet all of the following criteria:

Demonstrate four or more years of increased involvement with the Kernodle Center.

Consistently engage students in more than one type of volunteer or service activity.

Actively coordinate efforts in order to engage students in deeper service experiences.

Participates regularly in Working with Students and Preparing for Partnership sessions.

Engage in service learning discussions, provide constructive feedback and exhibit a desire to create and maintain partnership.

Communicates long-term interests and goals in order to collaborate with the Kernodle Center.

Allied ChurchesMeeting the basic needs of the lonely, hungry, and homeless, while challenging and empowering them to become self-sufficient. Allied Churches is a 3 tiered organization that includes an Emergency Night Shelter, Good Shepherd Kitchen, and Christian Assistant Network. Get involved in the night shelter, working in the office, serving or making food in the kitchen, or the weekly Milk Drive!

Blakey HallTo promote the social, emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical well-being of each resident in this long-term care facility for the elderly. Opportunities for service are in working through the activity department to help meet individual needs of the residents and/or in providing support to children in an after-school environment.

Burlington Housing AuthorityDirects all federal housing projects within the city. Programs include after-school enrichment program and Transition to Manhood program.

Family Abuse Services Center of Alamance County
Family Abuse Services of Alamance County has been dedicated to the prevention and intervention of domestic violence through emergency relief support as well as promotion of healthy lifestyles and relationships since 1985. Service experiences include court advocacy assistance with civil and criminal court experience in the protective order process. Offsite mobile crisis line coverage as well as onsite coverage experience is available with time spent manning the lines. Training required and provided with hours credited to service learning. See the volunteer section of FAS website for more details and other volunteer opportunities.

Piedmont Chapter of the American Red CrossTo help people prepare for, prevent and respond to emergencies. Students should expect first service experience to be in an office setting or at blood drives. There is minimal one-to-one contact with clients that are directly served by this agency.

Kopper Top Life Learning CenterTo provide opportunities in therapeutic, equestrian and educational experiences to people with disabilities. Service learners should expect to have minimal contact with clients, unless scheduling arrangements are made for those opportunities. Often service experiences include interaction with the small staff and students will gain a better understanding of how a nonprofit operates and the care and feeding of the animals used in therapy. (horses, dogs, cats and other farm animals)

Loaves and Fishes Food MinistriesThis program’s goal is to feed the hungry in our area and stamp out hunger in this community. Students working here should expect to be making bags, stocking shelves and making deliveries. Saturdays are often used as “peanut butter and jelly days” and include visiting low-income housing areas to distribute the sandwiches.

Positive Attitude Youth Center
An after-school program working to help children mature physically, emotionally and spiritually by offering school tutoring, recreational activities and events for the entire family. Service learning experiences are centered around tutoring a variety of students including low-income students and some students with court involvement or are homeless or have been abused. Some referrals are from the school system for students who need extra tutorial assistance.

Salvation Army Boys and Girls ClubTo enable all youth, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to reach their full potential as responsible and caring citizens. Service experiences are centered around tutoring children, working with children in a recreational environment and providing mentoring relationships to help meet individual needs.

Twin Lakes Community CenterTo provide holistic care, which aids in maintaining quality of life for senior and elderly residents. Residents function at a variety of levels including independent living or skilled nursing and at other levels. Service learners can expect multiple types of opportunities to interact with residents and activities.

Women’s Resource Center of AlamanceTo improve and enrich the lives of women and their families in Alamance County. Activities of this organization enable women to improve their life circumstances through education and opportunities to gain skills, such as budgeting. Service learners can expect administrative opportunities, some client contact and interaction.